One year before the 2026 World Cup in Canada, the United States and Mexico (June 11-July 19), the playoffs within the six continental confederations do not follow the same calendar. Qualifications in Europe have just started in March, while Africa, South America and Asia have already advanced well. Japan, New Zealand, Iran and Argentina have already qualified for this first world at 48 participants to join the three North American host countries.
Three countries were excluded by FIFA last March: Russia, due to the war waged by the country in Ukraine, Pakistan, whose federation has failed to organize elections “Just and democratic”as well as the Congo, due to a “Particularly serious situation of illegal interference of third parties”. Without the Russians, UEFA, for example, set up playoffs with six groups of four and six other hens of five teams.
The Republic of Congo (the “Congo-Brazzaville”) suddenly had the authorization to replay the playoffs in the Africa zone, in the E group E largely dominated by the Marco (15 points out of 15 possible). The Federation's Executive Committee, led by Jean Guy Blaise Mayolas, has regained total control of the body, as FIFA was waiting for.
Morocco sees the World Cup
The Red Devils, much less talented than the DR Congo, lost against Zambia (4-2), Niger (0-3) and Morocco (0-6) before their exclusion. This allowed Tanzania and Zambia to win 3-0 on green carpet. Congolese can no longer tear 2nd place synonymous from dams but can annoy Tanzania, the current second, in a next match in September.
Morocco is impacted by this return from the Congo. The Atlas Lions needed a draw against Niger, in four months, to ensure their qualification for the World Cup, but they will have to win at home to celebrate their participation in the World Cup 26. The selection of Achraf Hakimi will then face the Congo in October.
